Organic Farm Internship in New Jersey

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Organic Farm Internship in New Jersey at Poplar Wood Farm – 2017

Applications now being accepted on a rolling basis.

About: Poplar Wood Farm is a 15-acre family run farm located in the Warren County, New Jersey town of Port Murray, where we grow vegetables, cut flowers, herbs and eggs using organic methods. We rely on the use of cover cropping, compost, beneficial insects, and other environmentally conscious ways of growing our crops. We don’t use any synthetic inputs and no GMO seed. We attend farmers markets in northern New Jersey and have a CSA program that is currently in its seventh season. For more information about the farm, please visit our website (www.poplarwoodfarm.com) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/poplarwoodfarm).

Description: Interns will work with us on a variety of tasks including but not limited to the following: greenhouse production, transplanting, direct seeding, irrigation, fertility management, cultivation, harvesting, washing/packing, animal husbandry, and farmers’ markets. We operate as a small team so everyone participates in a variety of tasks and pitches in wherever needed. We strongly encourage interns to plan to return for a second season to continue to develop and take on greater responsibility. Interns from prior years have advanced to managerial positions and started their own operations.

Positions available with various start and end dates between March and December 2017. Interns are paid and hourly rate based on experience and receive a share in our CSA program. Housing is not provided but we offer assistance identifying housing nearby.

Educational Opportunities:  We recognize the important role our interns serve and strive to reciprocate their efforts by offering a strong learning experience. Our farm is growing and this is an exciting time to become involved. Interns will be given a large amount of responsibility and develop the skills necessary to contribute to the operation of an organic farm. Interns will work directly with farmer Al Esposito, who has over 25 years of agricultural and organic farming experience and is a board member of the Foodshed Alliance, an organization working to foster a self-sustaining foodshed in northern New Jersey.

Experience / Skills Desired: All applicants are expected to have the ability and willingness to work long, physical days outside in all weather conditions. We seek individuals that are enthusiastic, have a great work ethic, and a desire to learn sustainable/organic methods. Farming is both physically and mentally demanding and applicants should be fully committed to meeting these challenges. Critical thinking and common sense are underrated but important skills to have. Being physically fit, able to lift 50 pounds and move at a quick, consistent pace are requirements. Previous agriculture experience desired but not required. Having the aforementioned characteristics can make up for any lack of prior experience.

To Apply for the Organic Farm Internship in New Jersey

To apply, please send a letter of interest, resume, and contact information for 3 references to poplarwoodfarm@gmail.com. In your cover letter please include a description of any prior experience, explanation of your interest in organic/sustainable agriculture and Poplar Wood Farm, and note dates of availability.